Cevedale boot fail

[wapitibob]

This has been routine for quite some time. I haven't had a non leaking pair of boots in 25 years.
Danner Elk Hunters
Danner Pronghorns
Vasque Breeze
Lowa Zephyr
multipple Lowa Renegades
Merrell Moab
Salomon Quest 4d's
and now Lowa Cevedale Pro, All leaked in short order.

Quest 4d's water tested after and Elk hunt, antelope hunt, and two short antelope scouting trips.

Replaced the Quest's with Lowa Cevedale Pro's. An Elk hunt and an Antelope hunt is all they saw. They don't have 50 miles on them. Water shot out of them as fast as I poured it in. I'm extremely cautious about trimming toe nails and even bevel the edges to make sure nothing will impact the liner. Had they been water tight they would be the perfect boot for every hunt I do.
The only saving grace over the last decade is REI's return policy. Even at that, this is getting to be a pain in the butt.

 

[AZ Vince]

I don't bother with Gore Tex for boots for that reason.
Nikwax or Snow Seal and non Gore Tex boots have stood me well over the years.

 

[tipsntails7]

Agree with Vince, all leather, lather the sno seal up and cook it in. I do it every year. Works great.

 

[5MilesBack]

You must hunt in a lot of water. For elk hunting I really don't even give my boots a second thought about their waterproofness. Never really have to deal with that. I do cross some shallow creeks and meadow bogs at times, but never noticed any issues with my Zamberlans, Kenetreks, Crispi's, or even my 13 year old Rocky Lynx's.

And if you're pouring water IN, aren't the boots supposed to let the water out? Even vapor is supposed to escape from the inside of the boots as they breathe.

 

[JDZ]

I wish more boot manufacturers would offer boots without the waterproof membrane. I really dislike how un-breathable it is, especially in boots. Personally, I like a full leather boot that's been oiled or waxed. All this cordura and fancy seam work to make the boots look cool is pointless.

And if you're pouring water IN, aren't the boots supposed to let the water out? Even vapor is supposed to escape from the inside of the boots as they breathe.

Gore-Tex is not some magical fabric that only lets water go one direction. It's not built with microscopic check valves in it.

 

[wapitibob]

It doesn't take long in this kind of stuff to see how good your boots are and why I need "waterproof". As JDZ mentioned, Gore-tex is a semi permeable membrane. There isn't a "directional" attribute to it. With a nylon boot tongue, in wet conditions the "protective bootie" will become saturated and water will eventually find any tears in the Gore-tex liner. By pouring water inside, I just speed up the process when confirming that the boots are compromised vs foot sweat. The boots above had the gore-tex fail without really seeing much water.

I give Lowa props, they did contact me asking to have the retailer send them in for inspection.

 

[5MilesBack]

All this cordura and fancy seam work to make the boots look cool is pointless.

I like the cordura/leather uppers. Never thought they "looked cool", but they're definitely lighter, not as stiff, and they breathe better which makes them more comfortable. Perfect archery season boot IMO.

 

[JDZ]

I like the cordura/leather uppers. Never thought they "looked cool", but they're definitely lighter, not as stiff, and they breathe better which makes them more comfortable. Perfect archery season boot IMO.

Point well taken.

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

I'm on my third pair of Saloman Quest 4Ds.... They are the only "decent" boot that I've found to fit my foot....However, they leak like crazy. Just walking through damp grass is enough to soak my feet.

If it's raining.....I'd be better off in Berkenstocks... At least they would dry

 

[wapitibob]

Lowa Boots called today but I was at work. Looking forward to the call and hopefully I can get educated on boots, Goretex, and how they do/don't work together.

 

[ckleeves]

I gave up completely on gore-tex boots. A good pair of leather lined smothered in Obenaufs is what I prefer. They still get wet but I would much rather put on a wet leather lined boot in the morning then a gtx boot.

 

[wapitibob]

Straight leather boots saturated in boot grease reminds me too much of my logging days.

 

[LBFowler]

I'm on my third pair of Saloman Quest 4Ds.... They are the only "decent" boot that I've found to fit my foot....However, they leak like crazy. Just walking through damp grass is enough to soak my feet.

If it's raining.....I'd be better off in Berkenstocks... At least they would dry

I'm in the same boat, I'm constantly looking for a boot to replace the Quests (I'm on pair number 5 or 6? at least they don't cost me much) but to date they are quite simply the only boot I can really wear.

I don't expect any boot, no matter how expensive or well made, to stay waterproof. I kind of view it as a relief when they start leaking so I can stop worrying about when it will happen.